Jackie DeSouza credits playing sports with helping her develop the leadership skills needed to become the first woman CEO of Research Medical Center. Research and HCA Midwest Health have a rich history...

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Matt Sogard Named Chief Operating Officer for Research Medical Center

HCA Midwest Health System, Kansas City’s largest healthcare network, has named Matt Sogard as chief operating officer of Research Medical Center. Sogard joined the leadership team of the 511-bed acute care facility that is part of HCA Midwest in February, 2012. Research Medical Center was ranked No. 3 in the Kansas City metro area in U.S. News & World Report's first-ever Best Hospitals metro area rankings in April 2011.

Sogard comes to Research Medical Center as a healthcare operations and administration executive with a proven record in operational excellence. He has been a healthcare administrator since 2004, most recently responsible for leading the daily operations and playing a key role in strategic planning and medical staff development at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, an HCA-HealthONE facility, in Denver, Colo. He held the position of COO since 2008. In 2010, Sogard was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s national “Rising Stars: 25 Healthcare Leaders Under 40.”

“We are very fortunate and excited about the leadership Matt will provide to our organization as we continue to expand the services we provide to the community,” says Research Medical Center chief executive officer Kevin J. Hicks. “His energy and passion for operational excellence will help reinforce and drive the continued growth Research has experienced in high-quality, coordinated patient care.”

Sogard’s myriad accomplishments include leading the development and construction of numerous capital projects, including the new $150 million Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, as well as expansions in oncology, radiology and surgery. In addition, he drove the hospital’s growth teams, led employee engagement and culture refinement efforts such as leadership development teams, a hospital recycling program, 100 Fixes in 100 Days, employee appreciation lunches and formal leadership rounding. Sogard obtained a master of health administration and master of business administration from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. His bachelor of science in biology was obtained from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Sogard is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“I look forward to helping Research Medical Center continue its excellent service to the community,” says Sogard. “Research is an organization that is expanding to better meet the needs of patients and families with progressive and innovative programs. I am excited to be a part of that.”

Mel Lagarde, president of HCA Midwest Health System, says Sogard’s wealth of experience and commitment to excellent patient care emulates the HCA Midwest mission. “Our hospitals are dedicated to providing every patient with the highest level of care in an environment where people, compassion, community and integrity are valued,” says Lagarde. “Matt will help enhance what Research Medical Center offers to the community.”